Hi all it's been a long time since I've posted! I miss transition Worcester a lot, but I've just moved to a new community and I hope to have time in the near future to join the sustainability group that meets here!

In the mean time I've concocted an ambitious plan to try and "green up" the company I currently work for. Its probably a huge chunk to bite off, but I thoughtI'd ask for help from some old friends and thoughtful TW members.

I work for a retail company, but my job is in the music centre where lessons occur. This is a pretty good idea because after people buy or rent instruments we often get them to stay with us as students; this means dozens of teachers at every studio in the chain are gaining employment from the decision.

There's still a lot to be improved upon and I thought I'd run some ideas by you...maybe you have a suggestion that would be helpful, or some advise that would be useful! I'm all ears! I have to put together a report over the next few weeks so it'd be great to have your feedback!

My ideas so far:

1. Install bike racks inside or outside the studio building
2. Implement a car/lift share program amongst teachers and staff
3. Arrange for a paper recycle bin inside the retail store and music studio (we already donate all bottles and cans to a special needs worker who uses the money for various things)
4. Adopt annual participation in bike/walk to work week initiatives (including inter-store challenges, events and in-store publicity through posters etc...)
5. Make the case for installing solar panels on all the company owns buildings.
This is no doubt the harder of the challengs- I'm still researching the actual upfront cost compared to just consuming our electricity as we currently do, along with how long it will take to see the benefit of capturing our own power and possibly even selling off the excess...Could REALLY use some advise on this one (even though I know something's will be a bit different given our countries of origin)
6. Make the case for creating a used/collectible/antique/curiosity ONLY store that deals solely in the "new-to-you" market
Currently our store is still very much governed by selling as much new product as possible. I think there's a resale market we aren't taking advantage of to the fullest. We sell used instruments, and rent the same instrument many years over (especially to school children) which cuts down on new product demand, however I feel we often over look the potential of antique and collectible musical items, as well as forget that there are less privileged people out there who may not be able to afford a new item.
7. Book buy-back program on certain music books. There are many books out there that are used once and then never again. There's gotta be a way of getting those books back and breathing new life into them while possibly bringing in a small profit to the business...and more importantly allowing a lower-income student to afford the right books every time the teacher recommends one. I think my old university used to buy text books back every term...

Right those are my lofty ideas, if you've made it this far into the post bravo! Hopefully you'll still have some energy left to send me your feedback on my ideas.

Many thanks for your time!!! And I hope you are all faring very well

Sarah